Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes in County Kerry that have benefitted under the warmer homes scheme in 2010 and 2011; his plans to extend the scheme into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18117/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Better Energy Programme. The Warmer Homes scheme is delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.

The SEAI advises that 762 homes in County Kerry were supported in 2010 and 587 in 2011. The waiting list comprises 10,729 homes nationally as of 31 March 2012.

2012 marks a shift in emphasis on the Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme to take account of the Government's Affordable Energy Strategy. Heretofore, applicants were considered eligible for retrofit measures if they met defined criteria, such as eligibility for the National Fuel Scheme. All successful applicants were placed on a waiting list and addressed in rotation. The focus in 2012 is shifting to addressing those households identified as being in extreme energy poverty as a priority. Such households typically spend over 20% of their disposable income on energy services. This approach will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first.